Systemic Family Therapy

What is Systemic (Family) Therapy?

Systemic psychotherapy is a type of therapy that focuses on relationship patterns and communication within a family. It is based on the idea that an individual’s behaviour is shaped by their interactions with their family, friends, and community. Systemic psychotherapy seeks to improve individuals’ well-being and relationships by understanding and addressing these patterns.

Are you looking for a Family Therapist in Birmingham? Get in touch to speak to a therapist.

How can a family therapist help me? 

Here are three significant benefits:

• Improves Communication
• Addresses Underlying Issues
• Takes a Holistic Approach.

Communication

One of the primary goals of systemic psychotherapy is to enhance communication within a social system. By bringing all members of the system into therapy, the therapist can help identify patterns of communication that may be hindering relationships and work with the group to develop new, more effective ways of communicating. It can lead to better understanding and more harmonious relationships among family members.

Underlying issues

A family therapist goes beyond just treating the symptoms of mental health issues and instead seeks to address the underlying causes. By examining the relationships and communication patterns within a family, they can identify and address the root causes of issues, such as childhood trauma or relationship conflicts. It can lead to more long-lasting and effective results.

Holistic approach

Because a family therapist focuses on the entire social system, it can be a more holistic approach to mental health treatment. Rather than just addressing the individual’s symptoms, systemic psychotherapy considers the context and environment in which you operate. It can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of your situation and more effective treatment. Additionally, because systemic psychotherapy often involves multiple system members, it can lead to more comprehensive and collaborative solutions.

Are you looking for a Family Therapist in Birmingham? Get in touch to speak to a therapist.

Where does Family Therapy come from?

Systemic therapy has its roots in family therapy, which emerged in the 1950s as a response to the prevailing individualistic approach to mental health treatment. Family therapists seek to understand and treat your family as a whole rather than focusing solely on the individual. Over time, systemic family therapy grew to include larger social systems, such as organisations, communities, and cultures.

Improvements in communication have positive knock-on effects.

One of the core principles of systemic psychotherapy is the idea that all system members are interconnected and influence one another. It means that a change in one part of the system can cause a ripple effect throughout the entire system. For example, if one family member begins to communicate more openly and honestly, it can improve communication and understanding among all family members.

Get to know your family’s unhelpful communication styles.

A Fmaily Therapist also recognises that every system has a unique set of rules, norms, and beliefs controlling behaviour. These patterns can be either helpful or unhelpful, depending on the context. For example, a family might have developed a habit of conflict avoidance to maintain harmony. Still, this pattern can also prevent essential issues from being addressed and resolved.

How does it work?

In systemic family psychotherapy, the therapist works with the entire system to identify and modify unhelpful communication and behaviour patterns. It often involves bringing all system members into therapy sessions rather than just the identified patient. Systemic psychotherapy seeks to improve the quality of relationships and communication within the system by including everyone.

Types of Family Therapy

There are several different approaches to systemic psychotherapy, including structural, strategic, and narrative therapy. Structural therapy focuses on identifying and modifying the power dynamics within a system, while strategic treatment seeks to address specific problems within a system using targeted interventions. Narrative therapy emphasises the importance of individual stories and the meaning that people attach to their experiences.

Systemic psychotherapy treats various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and relationship problems. It is also helpful in addressing broader social issues, such as community conflict and cultural differences.

In conclusion, systemic psychotherapy is a powerful approach to mental health treatment that recognises the interconnectedness of individuals and their social systems. By addressing maladaptive communication and behaviour patterns within a system, systemic psychotherapy seeks to improve the well-being of individuals and their relationships. Systemic psychotherapy may be effective for struggling with mental health issues or relationship problems.

What is the evidence base for Systemic Family Therapy?

A growing body of research supports systemic family therapy’s effectiveness. Here are some key findings from the research:

1. Effective for various mental health issues: Systemic family therapy treats many mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, and behavioural problems in children and adolescents. Studies have also shown systemic family therapy can improve family functioning, reduce conflict, and increase family support.
2. Long-term effectiveness: Research has shown that the effects of systemic family therapy can be long-lasting, even after treatment has ended. One study found that treatment improved family functioning and maintained symptom reductions for up to two years following treatment. It suggests that systemic family therapy can have a lasting impact on families and their relationships.
3. Cost-effective: Systemic family therapy is cost-effective compared to other forms of treatment, such as individual therapy. It is because systemic family therapy typically involves multiple family members in the treatment process, which can lead to more efficient use of time and resources.
4. Culturally sensitive: Systemic family therapy is effective across different cultures and ethnic groups. One study found systemic family therapy was equally effective for Latino and non-Latino families, suggesting that therapists can adapt the approach to different cultural contexts. Research has shown that systemic family therapy is effectively similar to other forms of treatment, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and individual therapy. However, systemic family therapy may be more effective for conflict and relationship problems.

Overall, the evidence base for systemic family therapy is growing. Society increasingly recognises it as a viable and effective treatment for various mental health issues.

Are you looking for a Family Therapist in Birmingham? Get in touch to speak to a therapist.